MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
ANNA FRUSHOUR MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
STATE OF MICIDGAN
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION
Case No. 18-57 -GA
Notice Issued: October 22,2019
William M. Hatchett, P 23350, Pontiac, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #71.
Suspension - 60 Days, Effective October 9, 2019
After proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.115 and based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct when he commingled personal and clients funds in his IOLT A on multiple occasions between March 2015 and January 2017, and by failing to surrender a client's file to successor counsel after the end of respondent's involvement in the matter.
Based on respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent held funds other than client or third person funds relating to a representation in an IOLT A, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); failed to hold property of clients separately from his own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); deposited funds into his IOLT A in an amount in excess of the amount reasonably necessary to pay financial institution service charges or fees or to obtain a waiver of service charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f); and failed to surrender papers and property to which the client is entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a) and MCR 9.104(2) and (3).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 60 days and that he be subject to a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,768.22.
:Mt:J Mark A. Armitage
Executive Director